#BWB Review: Crabtree & Evelyn

Hi lovelies! Today I have something a little different for you. As some of you may have seen on Twitter, I am honored to be a part of an amazing group of ladies called Bloggers Who Bless or #BWB. To find out exactly what #BWB is about you can check us out HERE and while you're there, go have look around the site! The posts are always honest and helpful so it's definitely worth a read. Now and then I will be reviewing products for #BWB and it may not always be nail polish, nail art or hand care related but I will always try and make it as informative and entertaining as possible. So let's get on to my very first review...

After the first #BWB meet up in Cape Town, I got sent an AMAZING goodie bag which contained 2 gorgeous tubes of Crabtree & Evelyn Ultra-Moisturising Hand Therapy (Iris and Lavender). I'll admit, this was the first time I've heard of the brand but that is because I have been sleeping under a non-beauty-related rock for the past 24 years! After stalking the internet and the Crabtree & Evelyn website, I was ready to test this product and man, I was not disappointed!

First off, let's talk about the packaging. Crabtree & Evelyn Ultra-Moisturizing Hand Therapy comes in a beautiful tube that reminds me of all those little paint tubes that you always see in art supply stores and want to buy, even though you have no idea what you are actually going to do with it! This immediately had me feeling all giddy and excited because yes, I am that easily excited. It's the small things in life people!

The actual cream had a bit of a buttery feel to it when I first rubbed it between my fingers which had me a little worried as I don't like to use heavy greasy products on my hands during the day but this worry went away very quickly! After I rubbed the cream in, my hands felt soft, moisturized, smelled divine and absorbed into my skin with no effort! I'll admit, I fell pretty hard for this product because it's truly amazing. In fact, it now is the cream I use before I take my nail art photos for the blog because it makes my hands look so moisturized without looking oily. Out of the 2 scents I received, I preferred the Iris but that's only because I've never been a fan of Lavender scented products. The only downfall about this cream is the price tag. It is quite a bit more expensive than the average hand cream on the market but that being said, it isn't an average hand cream! At the moment I'm actually planning the heist I'm going to pull when this cream is finished because I want...no, NEED a lifetime supply of it!
You can keep up with Crabtree & Evelyn via Twitter, Facebook and also remember to go check out their website. 

Lots of mad love...

Flowery Animal Print

Hi lovelies! Today something shocking is happening...I do not have a lot to say! True story! Feeling a bit meh at the moment so not going to bore you with the details. Let’s rather get to the nail art!

I started with a base of Sinful Colors Snow Me White and stamped over it using Bundle Monster Plate BM-223 and WOW Nail Polish #393. Using a dotting tool I made simple flower shapes  with OPI A Oui Bit Of Red and China Glaze Recycle.

Much like this post today this mani is sweet and simple! I did love the look though. For some reason, animal print patterns as a base for other designs work pretty damn well! 

PS...Remember to go vote tomorrow, South African loves! GO GO GO!

Lots of mad love...

Cakey Zebra Print

Hi lovelies! Heck, I don’t know about you guys but I could get used to having at least 1 public holiday a week. But now that I’m used to it, it’s almost over. Tomorrow is one more public holiday and then next week Wednesday is the Presidential Election day in South Africa (GO VOTE DAMMIT!) which has been declared a public holiday. But after that our next public holiday is only in June again! *horror scream* How am I suppose to survive?? I’m a fragile minded person people! FRAGILE! *sobs*

 But you didn’t come here to hear me moan now did you? Onto le nails!

About a month or more ago I had a chat with some ladies about what colors would go well with China Glaze Foie Gras as I was swatching it and didn’t want it to go to waste because let’s be honest! I do not wear this specific color a whole lot and the name kinda gives me the creeps! So after a few suggestions, Heather from acidicice said she saw a show on TV that used colours similar to China Glaze Foie Gras and China Glaze For Audrey to make a zebra print cake so hence, this mani was born. 

I started by laying down 2 coats of China Glaze Foie Gras as my base. Then using my thin nail art brush (or actually my trusty liquid eyeliner brush) and China Glaze For Audrey, I made a random V shapes and lines to create a zebra pattern.

These colors went gorgeously together and I absolutely loved the end result! It’s actually one of those mani’s that I would redo and just wear randomly. But now I’m dying to wear China Glaze Foie Gras with a bright orange also. Who knew I would like doing art with this weird little goose liver pate named polish??

Lots of mad love...

 

Sleepy Easter Bunny

Hi there lovelies! Hmmm...smell that?? No, it’s not teen spirit but it’s close though! It’s the smell of a LONG WEEKEND! WHOOOO! What are my plans for the weekend, you ask? Nothing! Besides visiting with my sister, I plan on sleeping, sleeping and SLEEPING! Oh, and some nail art! ‘Cause, priorities!

Today I have some Easter nail art for you. I do have a pastel mani lined up for tomorrow but I thought let’s do something different and go for a darker Easter mani.

I started by laying down 2 coats of Colours Limited Speckle Enamel Jupiter on all my nails except for my ring finger. When this was dry, I stamped over those nails using WOW Nail Polish #393 and Bundle Monster Plate BM-423. On my ring finger I started with a base of WOW Nail Polish #393. Then using a thin nail art brush (or my trusty liquid eyeliner brush) and Sinful Colors Snow Me White, Tip Top Nail Chic Sherbet Angel and WOW Nail Polish #393, I made the sleepy bunny to finish it off.

I am really chuffed with how my bunny came out! It’s not perfect but I really like it! The mani also has a little bit more edge but isn’t too hard for the season.

I hope everybody has an amazing long weekend! For those on the road traveling to far destinations, travel safely! For those staying at home, also keep it safe.

Lots of mad love...

 

Saran Wrap and Love...

Hi lovelies! Have you guys ever had those moments where you feel totally amped and you don’t know why?? I am feeling like that at the moment! I’m busy recovering from a nasty cold that I had since last week but I am feeling energetic! I think it might be because I found a map online that shows me all the Barnstorming locations in Saints Row 3. WIN! Aaaaaand now I can’t decide what is more sad...the fact that a location map for helicopter stunts on a video game gets me excited or that I’m still playing Saints Row 3 (I CAN’T AFFORD SAINTS ROW 4 AT THE MOMENT OKAY!!!! Don’t judge me! *sobs*)

What the lil dude above said mkaaay! Source

Anyhoo, you guys are here for mani’s. I’m focused, I swear!

Today’s mani has something in it that I usually do not like but man, I genuinely like how it brought everything together! I am a silver girl. Always have, always will be. But when I was finished with this mani I thought it needed something. Something to just tie everything nicely together. That’s when my GOLD studs caught my eye...My first initial reaction was “No...Nope...not going to happen!” but after much mental deliberation I caved and tried it. I am glad to say I was pleasantly surprised!

I started by laying down a base of Essence Galactic Glam. When this was dry I used the saran wrap method and Tip Top Nail Chic Cha Cha Cha to create the effect over the base color. To finish everything off, I added a generous amount of top coat and placed my golden studs down on my ring and middle finger.

I know this mani isn’t the most hardcore or artistically challenging but I love how it came out! I love the marble slab like effect of the saran wrap method and those little studs really stole my heart for a little while. Good on you gold, good on you!

Lots of mad love...